Horticulture Intern

Peckham, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 1,653,000 - 2,204,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO policies

Modern facilities

Pet friendly work sites

Free fruit

Fitness classes

Massages available for purchase

Opportunities for flexible work-arrang

Job summary

Peckham, Inc. is seeking a Horticulture Intern to support daily greenhouse operations in Grand Rapids, MI.

The role provides hands-on experience with high-tech greenhouse production, environmental monitoring, irrigation support, data collection, and routine maintenance under horticulture professionals. You will assist in plant health checks, sample collection, and jack-of-all-trades tasks while learning automated greenhouse technologies and safety practices in a supportive mission-driven

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written English communication.
• Able to follow safety and sanitation procedures.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monitoring and managing plant health.
• Collect plant, media, and water samples for analysis.
• Record greenhouse production data for leadership review.
• Provide observations to supervisors to support process improvement.
• Assist in research activities including plant variety trials.
• Seed plug trays and transfer germinated trays to growing areas.
• Maintain and sanitize nursery areas and equipment.
• Perform weekly inventory of seeds, trays, fertilizers, and inputs.
• Scout for pests and diseases and apply control methods as directed.

Skills

English communication

Education

HS Diploma

Horticulture program enrollment/grad

Job description

*Staff positions are supportive roles providing support to our rehabilitation mission. Applicants for staff positions do not need to have a barrier to employment to be eligible for these roles.*

POSITION SUMMARY

The Horticulture Intern supports daily greenhouse operations while gaining hands-on experience in high-tech greenhouse production. Working under the guidance of horticulture professionals, this entry-level role assists with plant health monitoring, environmental systems observation, irrigation support, data collection, and routine greenhouse maintenance to support efficient and high-quality plant production. The internship provides practical exposure to automated greenhouse technologies, research activities, and agricultural safety practices while developing foundational skills in commercial horticulture.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with monitoring and managing plant health to ensure optimal growth.
• Assist with gathering plant, media, and water samples for laboratory analysis.
• Record greenhouse production date for review by leadership.
• Provide clinical consultation to staff for the purpose of effective service plan development, progress tracking, and achievement of desirable outcomes.
• Assist in research and development activities, including plant variety trials.
• Periodically seed plug trays and transfer germinated trays to growing areas.
• Clean and sanitize nursery growing areas and transfer germinated plug trays into those areas.
• Conduct weekly inventory counts of seeds, plug trays, fertilizers, chemicals, and other inputs.
• Scout for insect infestations and disease infections, applying bio-rational pest and disease control methods as directed.
• Comply with all written Good Manufacturing and Agricultural Practices (GMPs/GAPs) at all times, including but not limited to, personal clothing, personal items, personal hygiene, food safety attire, and proper food handling and sanitation.
• Populate multiple logs and records for regulatory and operational purposes.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist other greenhouse or operational teams with seasonal projects, special initiatives, or facility activities as needed.
• Provide observations or feedback to supervisors regarding greenhouse processes, equipment, or workflows to support continuous improvement.
• Participate in training, safety meetings, or educational opportunities related to horticulture, greenhouse technology, or agricultural practices.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• Assist in maintaining organizational wide quality standards.
• Promote Peckham’s vision, value, culture, and commitment to excellent customer services to all team members, staff, customers and stakeholders.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position supervises staff positions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School (HS) Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• Enrolled in or recently graduated from a Horticulture or applicable Biological Science program.
• Ability to adhere to and apply Agricultural Safety Practices
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English in order to follow cleaning schedules, safety guidelines, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and complete logs accurately
• Access to reliable transportation
• Ability to work independently
• Must be willing to work in an environment with extreme temperatures ranging from 37F to 110F

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with greenhouse growing and/or production
• Experience with Irrigation Management
• Experience with Equipment Maintenance
• Experience with Pest Control

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The physical demands of this position may be reasonably accommodated for individuals with disabilities on a case by case basis.

PECKHAM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled

Peckham provides equal opportunities and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR APPLYING NOTICE

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of your application please.

EXAMPLES OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Examples of reasonable accommodations may include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Business Line: Revolution Farms Location: Grand Rapids, MI Worker Sub-Type: Intern

ABOUT PECKHAM

Peckham is a national award-winning social enterprise, recognized for its achievement in providing exceptional vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities and barriers to employment. We accomplish our mission by working with community partners and through our own diverse business lines consisting of apparel manufacturing, warehousing, call centers, environmental services, and farming. Peckham prides itself on having a great culture which fosters a respectful, collaborative, and fun work environment. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, share ideas, and engage in lifelong learning. Our culture further supports our mission by encouraging flexibility, health, and wellness.

• generous PTO policies
• modern facilities
• pet friendly work sites
• free fruit
• fitness classes
• massages available for purchase
• opportunities for flexible work arrangements

MISSION

Peckham, a nonprofit community vocational rehabilitation organization, is a unique business and human services agency which values quality, diversity, and performance. Our mission is to provide a wide range of opportunities to maximize human potential for persons striving for greater independence and self-sufficiency. We embrace collaboration, effective resource management, and innovative approaches to achieve world‑class excellence.

VISION

To prove that people with disabilities and other barriers are more than capable of delivering world‑class, high-quality products and solutions.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION NOTICE

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

For more information on the equal employment obligations of Federal contractors, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

Visit www.peckham.org to learn more.